Operation: Training

Date: 27th October 1941 (Monday)

Unit: No. 610 Squadron. 12 Group (motto: Alifero tollitur axe ceres - 'Ceres rising in a winged chariot')

Type: Spitfire IIa

Serial: P7671

Code: DW-?

Base: RAF Leconfield, Yorkshire

Location: Whinhill Farm, Driffield

Pilot: P/O. Thomas William McClure Leckie NZ/402196 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Understood to have had a serious accident during landing on return from an operational sortie on Wednesday, 18th June 1941 - suffering spinal injuries. He recovered at Goodwood hospital.

During aerobatic practice the Spitfire stalled and spun into the ground at 14:50 hrs. It is thought that the pilot blacked out during one of the manoeuvres perhaps linked to the earlier accident.

Burial details:

P/O. Thomas William McClure Leckie. Leconfield Churchyard (St. Catherine). Row B. Grave 8. Born on the 06th March 1917 at Wellington, the son of Frank Maxwell Leckie and Irene Myra L'Estelle Leckie (née Taplin), of Heretaunga, Wellington, New Zealand. Prior to service worked for Levin and Company as a shipping clerk. A total of 266 flying hours logged and completed 10 operational sorties.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire of New Zealand and also to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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